{mosimage} Troy Smith went from Heisman Trophy winner to championship fraud in a months time. He saw his NFL stock drop from a possible first day draft pick to being picked at the end of the 5th round, 174th pick by the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, he has held a clipboard as a 3rd stringer for the struggling bad boys of the NFL. In a blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, where Smith watched former teammate Anthony Gonzalez score 2 touchddowns, Smith finally got an opportunity in the games final 2 minutes and took full advantage.

Troy Smith is much slimmer than the ballooned (scared to scramble) QB we watched in the national title game.

15 pounds. 15 pounds is the number reported by Columbus media. 15 "elbows" is how much more Troy Smith weighed between his final regular season game and his the title game vs. Florida. Too many heisman banquets, honorary speeches and pats on the back during a 53 day layoff lead to a once tough kid acting like a lovable Pillsbury dough boy. Simply stated, the dude lost his edge and during the same time gained way too much weight.

A day after his Heisman crown was handed to Florida QB Tim Tebow, Smith capitalized on his first opportunity in NFL action, possibly signifying that the tough competitor has moved on and is possibly ready to reemerge. I'll say this, his 7 play touchdown drive looks a hell of a lot better at the end of the season, when determining who to cut and who to keep, than a "did not see action" stat line.

The Troy Smith I remember, minus one bad game (horrible nightmare), stayed in the pocket and took a tough hit, if that's what it took to make a big throw. He would gladly scramble if needed, utilizing his superb athleticism and elusiveness to juke defenders and pick up extra yards. If needed, he would lower his head and take on a linebacker for a first down. He would normally knock the linebacker on his back. Troy Smith was an angry, ferocious competitor with a huge chip on his shoulder that only the greatest award in college football could erase. If he plays like the old Troy Smith, but with his current understanding of the game and increased maturity, he could find a career in the NFL after all.

The thing about Troy Smith is that in his final season he became a drop back passer. This was top priority for a guy who wanted to play in the NFL and wanted to stay healthy for an entire season. It just seemed he forgot that he could run. Well, as you see (below), Smith did a great job of balancing the two in his first ever NFL appearance.

As a Buckeye fan, I can FINALLY say I'm ready to forgive, try to forget and root for the guy who is a Wolverine killer and Buckeye legend. The great Troy Smith, who we are all rooting will return to greatness again.

Troy Smith Baltimore Ravens Video (Rookie Debut)

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Lloyds Apple said:

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Rookie quarterback Troy Smith will make his first start Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Seattle Seahawks. With Kyle Boller missing his second consecutive day of practice because of lingering effects from a concussion, including headaches and sensitivity to light, Ravens coach Brian Billick confirmed Thursday Smith will take his place. "With Kyle, it would be problematic for him on Sunday, so, hopefully, he will be available to back up," Billick said. "Missing two days of practice would make it tough. We're certainly not going to put him at risk." Billick acknowledged that Smith, last year's Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State, may also start the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of Boller's injury. "Concussions are very unpredictable," Billick said. Smith will be the third quarterback to start for the Ravens this season. Steve McNair started six of the first nine games, but struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 3. Smith rushed for a touchdown in his NFL debut against Indianapolis on Dec. 9, and directed a game-tying drive in regulation in a 22-16 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. "He's a very strong personality," Billick said. "If things get ugly with him, he'll be all right through whatever happens. He's a very strong-willed young man." If Boller is unavailable to be the backup, then the Ravens would likely promote undrafted rookie Cullen Finnerty from the practice squad. Wide receiver Mark Clayton is a potential emergency option.

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December 21, 2007
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